How old is too old for a career change?

[smithyca]

After being made redundant due to covid I now face the prospect of job hunting. I've done low skilled jobs all my life and have no career as such. After talking to my work coach and expressing my regret at not taking my career more seriously she suggested retraining and maybe starting an apprenticeship. I've always thought they were for school leavers but since she's mentioned it I can't stop thinking about taking the chance and going for it. So my question is AIBU to think at the age of 38 I can retrain and start an apprenticeship or are they for the kids? Has anyone done an apprenticeship later in life or knows someone and from an employer's point of view am I too old?

[maquisdesade]

[quote Scratchpostkitty]@maquisdesade I am training as a dog behaviourist. I currently work with children and have done for about 22 years. I'm feeling very positive about it all.
DH started an apprenticeship with a large company 2 years ago, also mid forties. Complete career change. He is so much happier and his hours are so much better. I was scared when he decided to change. He was the main earner and it was a pay cut. Now career prospects are looking good and it was definitely the best move.
Best of luck if you do go for it. You should![/quote]
Thank you so much

[Scratchpostkitty]

@maquisdesade I am training as a dog behaviourist. I currently work with children and have done for about 22 years. I'm feeling very positive about it all.
DH started an apprenticeship with a large company 2 years ago, also mid forties. Complete career change. He is so much happier and his hours are so much better. I was scared when he decided to change. He was the main earner and it was a pay cut. Now career prospects are looking good and it was definitely the best move.
Best of luck if you do go for it. You should!

[SilverOtter]

Do it! I'm 41 and two years into a four year degree course for my mid-life career change Whenever I feel old I just remind myself that there's (hopefully!) an awfully long time until retirement, and surely it's better to spend that time doing something you're passionate about.

[maquisdesade]

@Scratchpostkitty

Can I be cheeky and ask roughly what you are retraining in?
It's just that I am a similar age to you in a job I loathe and you have given me hope

[netstaller]

Go for it! Sounds like a great opportunity and you'll never be as young as you are today. The HR option sounds the most in demand and with the best earning potential and trajectory.

[Tobebythesea]

You are definitely not too old! I’m 37 and started a 4 year degree last year. Go for it.

[Ouchiehelpneeded]

This woman's a bit younger, but you're definitely not too old for either a new career and/or an apprenticeship.

civilservice.blog.gov.uk/2021/02/11/im-living-proof-youre-never-too-old-to-be-an-apprentice/

[TheMatryoshka]

Of course you can! I'm 43 and I'm two months away from graduating with an AHP NHS degree, I've had my job offer at my placement hospital since November so my new career is all waiting for me!

I've done an Access course as my A levels were not in science so I've been studying since 2017, got offers from all the unis I applied for and my new career is so in demand I could probably work anywhere I chose. My age has never ever been a barrier (I worried about it so much before I started to the extent that I put off starting my studies for 3 years because I had no confidence!).

I jettisoned a lovely office job to do this and I don't regret a thing. Ok that's a lie, I'm deep in dissertation hell right now but it will all be over soon and I can crack on with the 25 years of work I've still got ahead of me
Just wanted to give a positive perspective, go for it!

[smithyca]

That's good to know @LEMtheoriginal. It's hearing things like this that gives me hope. Originally I was devastated to lose my job but I'm starting to see it as a second chance and being more positive about the future.

[smithyca]

Thanks everyone! Seems like it's not such a crazy idea after all. I have had a bit of experience with HR, I went on a job swap in my old company to get a taste of it but sadly they decided to reduce the number of people working in HR so nothing came of it and I went back to my department.

As I've said I've only been looking into it today so I've got plenty of avenues to explore. I want to make sure I get it right and don't just jump into the first one I like the sound of.

[Tottington]

Never too old!

My dad was made redundant at 55 from a career he'd had since graduating uni at 21. He retrained as a forklift truck driver, got a warehouse job, did some maternity cover in the admin offices, they offered to train him in their logistics department at around 58. He retired at 67.

A friend started an apprenticeship after splitting up from her husband at 45. She's now doing the degree course and will qualify at 52.

Just do it!

[LEMtheoriginal]

Ive just finished a 3 (nearly 4 - fuck you covid) year apprenticeship. Im 50.

[Umbivalent]

38 is no age! I had a massive career change aged 37 - I became a mother

Go for it OP!

[MrTumbleTumble]

Have you thought about NVQs rather than apprenticeships? You can often do them in evenings / at weekends and unrelated to your job so potentially you could get a new job and do an NVQ on top. Then you'd be on at least NMW rather than an apprenticeship wage.

CIPD is the HR qualification, I don't know if they are NVQs but you can definitely study part time for them.

[dotdotdotdash]

Project management is another path where there is a lot of demand in a range of industries. There may be professional qualifications you could do.

[dchange]

100% agree with @Toilenstripes Doing a CIPD course while working in an HR department would be a great way to go.

Also this skill is transferable and can work in any sector.

[Toilenstripes]

HR can be a very interesting area, but I would try to get experience working in an HR office first. HR, like most professions has its own vocabulary and generalist areas. Doing a CIPD course while working in an HR department would be a great way to go.

[Namenic]

There is business analysis also - I believe the British computing society do a diploma for business analysis. Someone at my company retrained - I think in her 40s (after her kids have grown up) and has completed her apprenticeship.

I think business analysts gather requirements from customers (can be internal customers) and analyse the impact of changes to an organisation. I work at a tech firm and there are quite a few BAs.

[OverTheRubicon]

HR is better than business admin - the number of admin jobs is shrinking drastically with technology, and you'll be up against others who are either more experienced or cheaper/more flexible/younger. HR is still more in demand, and your life experience can be worth something too.

[Scratchpostkitty]

Retraining here in my mid forties. Go for it OP. I won't finish my course for another 2 years,. I just want to do something I'm passionate about. Let's face it, many of us will be ancient by the time we retire, so why not.

[Covidbegone]

Go for it! I’m starting to think I might join you OP!

[SausageDogSandwich]

What are you thinking of doing?

I'm 10+ years older than you and going back to study for a second degree. Already work in that sector but hoping to move up the ladder which I can't without said degree.

[ilovecarbs90]

When you're dead.

[Brown76]

I think HR is potentially a better option, as it’s a more specific skill set, and you could progresss by doing CIPD qualifications. Do you know anyone who works in these sorts of roles that you could chat to to find out more?

[Tal45]

Go for it, I can't think of a reason not to if it's something you want .